Pope Alexander solidifies his power and influence with the help of two loyal allies: Cesare secures the family fortunes and defends the papacy and Rome itself from its enemies, and Giulia Farnese helps Alexander achieve the good works that will ensure his legacy; Lucrezia strives to establish control over her own destiny; Juan drives a permanent wedge between the Borgia siblings that leads Cesare to commit the ultimate crime; Della Rovere schemes to bring down the Pope by any means necessary.

Pope Alexander survives an assassination attempt and comes back stronger than ever, reaching the pinnacle of power, influence and wealth; Cesare marries a French noblewoman, defends Rome and his family against the very determined Caterina Sforza and fights to prove himself to his father; Lucrezia's marriage to Alfonzo falters as she and Cesare draw closer than ever, and she successfully dabbles in the black arts; Micheletto finds love and faces the ultimate betrayal.

The New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Italian Renaissance novels — The Birth of Venus, In the Company of the Courtesan, and Sacred Hearts — has an exceptional talent for breathing life into history. Now Sarah Dunant turns her discerning eye to one of the world’s most intriguing and infamous families — the Borgias — in an engrossing work of literary fiction.

The startling truth behind one of the most notorious dynasties in history is revealed in a remarkable new account by the acclaimed author of The Tudors and A World Undone. Sweeping aside the gossip, slander, and distortion that have shrouded the Borgias for centuries, G. J. Meyer offers an unprecedented portrait of the infamous Renaissance family and their storied milieu.